Updated: These steps still applies in installing NIC drivers on Windows Server 2016 and Windows Server 2019
The Intel NUC are very handy when you need a portable Windows lab environment (most geeks do need it) and recently I got an Intel NUC D54250WYKH and installed Windows Hyper-V Server 2012 R2 but after the installation I got a prompt that no network adapter present in my computer where it should be the Intel (R) Ethernet Controller I218. Windows Server simply doesn’t detect it, I install Windows 10 Technical Preview on my other NUC and it has no issues with the network device. So search over the net and found out that Intel is not supporting Windows Server 2012/R2s on NUC but there’s always a workaround. If found these links and followed the instruction and got it working.
Reference links:
- http://foxdeploy.com/2013/09/12/hacking-an-intel-network-card-to-work-on-server-2012-r2/ <— has the best method in finding out the correct driver for your machine.
- http://www.telnetport25.com/2012/12/installing-windows-hyper-v-server-2012-with-an-asus-p8z68-v-pro-motherboard/
- https://communities.intel.com/message/237480
Here are the steps I did:
- Download this driver https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?DwnldID=24198&lang=eng&ProdId=3744
File name: LAN_Win8.1_64_PROWin_19.3.exe
Version: 19.3 (Latest
Date: 08/15/2014
Size: 33.2 MB
Language: Multi language
Operating Systems: Windows 8.1, 64-bit*
- Extract the installer using winrar (I extracted it in C:\Temp)
- Once extracted, go to this directory C:\Temp\lan_win8.1_64_prowin_19.3\PRO1000\Winx64\NDIS64 and open e1d64x64.inf
- Edit the e1d64x64.inf file
-remove the 3 lines under the [ControlFlags]
copy the highlighted part and paste it under:
“%E15A2NC.DeviceDesc% = E15A2, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_15A2&SUBSYS_00011179”
- Save the inf file.
- Copy the NDIS64 folder to your usb and plug it in your NUC
- In your hyper-v server run the following
- bcdedit /set LOADOPTIONS DISABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS
- bcdedit /set TESTSIGNING ON
- bcdedit /set nointegritychecks ON
and Reboot the server shutdown /r /t 0
- install the driver using pnputil –i –a D:\NDIS64\ e1d64x64.inf
A Windows security warning will pop-up, click Install this driver software anyway.
You should see something like this in the command prompt:
Processing inf : e1d64x64.inf
Successfully installed the driver on a device on the system.
Driver package added successfully…..
- Switch the Driver Enforcement back on, run the following command
- bcdedit /set LOADOPTIONS ENABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS
- bcdedit /set TESTSIGNING OFF
- bcdedit /set nointegritychecks OFF
- Reboot your NUC Hyper-V server and you’re all set.
This workaround can also be applied to Windows Server 2012 R2 Update.
If you’re keen in building a portable data center with Intel NUCs check this post: http://deploymentbunny.com/2014/09/28/building-next-gen-datacenter-the-pelicase-portable-datacenter/











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